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Temperature gage in dash doesn't work


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petelg
User

Feb 12, 2012, 11:59 AM

Post #1 of 13 (14694 views)
Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

Hi guys. Hope someone can advise...I have 1995 Nissan SE extended cab pickup..V6 3000 with about 117,000 miles...My problem is I've noticed that the temperature gage in dash doesn't seem to be working. I went around the block in it a few times last week and the needle had moved somewhat. But I still don't think it was working properly then. Now it doesn't move at all. I do notice the needle will have a slight jump to it when you turn the ignition on. I check the fuse panel and found no burnt fuses. I did locate the temperature sensor near the intake on the engine but since i'm inept at these things I have no clue to wheather the sensor is the problem or not...Any advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance.....Pete


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Feb 12, 2012, 12:20 PM

Post #2 of 13 (14675 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

Make sure you have the right temp sender. One is for the gauge and one is for the computer. The one for the gauge only has one wire. Wityh the key off, unplug the wire and attach a jumper wire from the wire to ground. Now, momentarily turn the key on and watch the gauge. It should immediately go to full. If it does, then the dash gauge is working properly. Use a laser thermometer to determine the actual engine temp at the thermostat housing. If the engine is actually getting hot, replace the temp sender.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



petelg
User

Feb 12, 2012, 12:33 PM

Post #3 of 13 (14660 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

Hey thanks...I'll give it a try and let you know...Thanks a bunch...Pete


petelg
User

Feb 13, 2012, 1:02 PM

Post #4 of 13 (14618 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

I used a jumper wire and tested the connection to the dash gage. It checked out ok. The needle pegged all the way to the top as you said. I went this morning and bought a temp sensor... I'll try it out this afternoon and let you know...Take care...Pete


petelg
User

Feb 14, 2012, 2:26 PM

Post #5 of 13 (14601 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

Wanted to give you a follow up on the temp gage problem. I enstalled a new temperature sensor. Did quiet a bit of rideing around to warm up the engine.. The needle did move somewhat but only a very small tad above the "cold" mark. Thought it would read more than that but I'm not a mechanic. I did turn the heater on and it seems to be blowing a sufficient amount of warm air. Does that sound normal or is there anything else I can do?..Appreciate the help....Pete


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 14, 2012, 2:46 PM

Post #6 of 13 (14598 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

You might need a new thermostat. Use a laser thermometer to determine the engine temp.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



re-tired
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Feb 14, 2012, 7:32 PM

Post #7 of 13 (14586 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

The laser thermometer is the best way to verify the eng temp. If you dont happen to own one sometimes you can rent one from a parts house. An not as accurate way is to first start a cold eng .The upper hose should not immedately get hot , there shooukl be a delay of several minutes then a quick warm up. Take a short drive . Upon stoping CAREFULLY feel the upper and lower rad hoses . They should feel equally hot . If noticeably different try a new thermostat.


LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH


petelg
User

Feb 18, 2012, 12:45 PM

Post #8 of 13 (14555 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

Thanks for the help guys... It was the thermostat... Stay tuned...I have more problems...LOLTongue


petelg
User

Feb 19, 2012, 8:37 AM

Post #9 of 13 (14547 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

Hey once again. I've come to the conclusion that my thermostat is stuck open. So I went and bought a thermostat with the intention I could change this out myself...DAMN!...It's eating my lunch!!!Crazy.Again, this is a VG30E engine... Could someone please give me a step by step on how to get to the darn thing. And possibly and exploided view that I could follow. Sorry for all the questions but I'm trying to do a lot of the repairs myself. I'm caregiver for my 86 year old(grumpy father)Smile and money is tight..But all the help is appreciated....Pete


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 19, 2012, 12:51 PM

Post #10 of 13 (14538 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

The key is to get all that stuff out of your way first.



DISASSEMBLY
  1. Drain the coolant from the drains on each side of the engine and the radiator petcock.
  2. Remove the following components.
    • Lower engine cover.
    • Upper radiator hose.
    • radiator shroud.
    • Drive belt(s).
    • A/C tensioner bracket.
    • Fan and clutch.
    • Water inlet tube.
  1. Remove the thermostat.

ASSEMBLY
  1. Clean housing and inlet mating surfaces.
  2. Place the thermostat in the housing with the jiggle (bypass) valve at the top.
  3. Reassemble in reverse order with a new gasket, noting torque specifications in the figure.
NOTE: When installing the thermostat cover, be certain to position it with the arrow pointing up.
Replacement OEM thermostats do not require a gasket. Apply a 2-3 mm bead of Nissan Sealant (P/N KP610-00250) or equivalent to both mating surfaces.
  1. Re-fill the coolant with the proper concentrate.
  2. Check for leaks.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Feb 19, 2012, 1:35 PM)


petelg
User

Feb 20, 2012, 12:59 PM

Post #11 of 13 (14523 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

Yep, you were right. Had to take every bit of those things off just to get to the little Sh!t...Tongue. But I eventually got it out. I don't recall seeing a gaskett on the old houseing but I bought one to go back on it. It shows one in the manual. Also bought a tube of Pirmatex. I'm sure it will be pretty hard to line up those gaskett holes to the block without them slideing around when I'm trying to place the thermostat into such a small area. Any suggestions?..Thanks my friend...Smile


Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Feb 20, 2012, 2:53 PM

Post #12 of 13 (14511 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

The thermostat housing uses sealant. The grey stuff.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Feb 20, 2012, 3:03 PM)


petelg
User

Feb 29, 2012, 1:38 PM

Post #13 of 13 (14472 views)
Re: Temperature gage in dash doesn't work Sign In

Got the thermostat back in and no leaks...Works fine...Thanks






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